Avalanche forecast

Togwotee Pass

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist and travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended today. As a warm and wet system brings increasing temperatures and constant snow and rain to the area today, the avalanche hazard will continue to rapidly increase. Snowfall at the higher elevations will continue to load existing wind slabs, making them both larger and increasing the likelyhood of them releasing naturally. Below 8500 feet, rain will quickly weaken the snowpack, allowing for wet slabs to occur. These avalanches will release naturally today and given the above average snowpack, could entrain large volumes of snow. One such slide has already occurred this morning in the Snake River Canyon near Wolf Creek, closing Snake River Canyon. Teton Pass remains closed as WYDOT continues to clean up debris from several slides that occurred two days ago. Two snowmobilers were both uninjured after being caught in a slide in Dry Lake Creek yesterday. One was fully buried with the exception of a visible part of his airbag that he had deployed. Beware of run out zones and use cautions around buildings as roofs will also be sliding. An avalanche warning has been issued by the center effective 1am this morning and continuing through at least 1am Friday.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Very strong southwest to west winds over the past week have formed slabs and continue to load slabs in the backcountry. These slabs could release on density breaks throughout the storm cycle with depths of six inches to as much as four feet at the higher elevations. These slabs will be very sensitive to human triggers and are likely to release naturally today at the mid and high elevations and once triggered could run long distances and entrain the wet snow at the lower elevations. Continued snowfall and the rising snow/rain line will increase their likelyhood of failure today.

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2

    The snowpack at the mid and low elevations will be quickly weakened by rain. Avalanche activity in the form of wet slab and wet loose is activity is certain.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    The chance continues for backcountry travelers to trigger very large deep slab avalanches on northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. If triggered, these dangerous hard slabs could involve the full depth of the snowpack. These slabs could be triggered by the release and movement of a wind slab or by larger loads such as snow machines or groups of people.

Avalanche Discussion

( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A major warm and wet system is to impact the area tonight into Friday. Precipitation should start this evening as snow at all elevations. The snow is to turn to rain in the valleys with the rain/snow line rising to 8000 feet Thursday afternoon. Winds from the southwest are to have 25 to 35 mph averages. Over a foot of snow is expected at the higher elevations by Thursday evening. An avalanche warning has been issued for the area from 1am Thursday until 1am Friday. The avalanche hazard will be HIGH. Rapid loading from wind and snow will further load existing slabs at higher leeward terrain. Rain will quickly weaken the snowpack at lower elevations. Natural avalanche activity is likely as wind slabs in higher terrain and as wet slabs in lower terrain. These slides could entrain significant amounts of snow and impact highways and roads. Also beware of the serious threat posed by roof slides.

Regions covered